Several competitors arrived in 1967 to battle the Ford Mustang in the new “pony car” market. One of them was the Mercury Cougar, a more upscale entry that gave FOMOCO a second player. The seller’s project or parts car is a ’68 Cougar, which may have been sitting in the owner’s yard for some time. It needs loads of work and has no title, but it might be had for a song. Located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, this forlorn Merc is available here on eBay, where there is no reserve and a current bid of $200.
The Cougar went into 1968 with few changes (the same was true for “Cousin” Mustang). Side marker lights were added, and a 302 cubic inch V8 replaced the 289. Cougar sales fell by 25%, which was better than the Ford’s 33% decline, but competition was the main reason, and American Motors unveiled its Javelin (though hardly a big sales stealer). Of the 114,000 Cougars produced in 1968, most probably came with the same engine in the seller’s car, the 302 with a 2-barrel carburetor.
All cars have a story, and we’re sure this one does, too. But the seller may not know what it is. The motor does turn by hand, though some mechanical issue likely sidelined it some time ago. An attempt may have been made to keep it covered, but those efforts could have been stopped in recent years. The Merc has some rust, which is described as “better than some”. The burgundy paint is well past its prime, as is the contrasting white top.
The carburetor was removed and kept, but the seller thinks it requires a rebuild. There is no DMV paperwork for the Cougar, which the seller once purchased to restore, but declining health now forces the sale. The interior may or may not be complete and will also need an extreme makeover. Would you prefer to try to save the old car or use it for parts, as the seller postulates?
Get it running, throw some open exhaust on it, put a coat of matte finish on it, call it a rat rod and flip it…
This one’s a money pit. With body panels being nearly non-existent, and this needing everything it’s a shame someone let it go
You obviously are not a Cougar person otherwise you would know that there are reproduction hoods, fenders, roofs, quarter panels, decklids, rear taillight panel and valance panels are available. This one is still a parts car since it is a fairly bare bones standard car and the lack of a title. I would part it out.
Make into an old Dan Gurney Trans Am car and go racin’
I love the ’67 and ’68 Cougar. Unfortunately this one looks like a parts car
Poor neglected cat.
What did it ever do to anybody?
Parts car. No one wants to pay more than $300, for this.
My friend had a green 68 302 auto and like all small Fords of the day the front end suspension would have been better on a go cart than a car. Even in the Bullit car chase and McQueen spins the car, you can see how the lower control arm folds up under any strain.
Back in the 80’s he had the 68 and we welded steel to the lowers to make them more ridged to keep them from twisting, folding up. Then a 1970 4 barrel Cleavland went into the car with the C6. The exhaust ports on the 4 barrel C motor are huge and 4 times the size than the anemic 302.
The sequential directional signals are a nightmare to fix if you do not know how to repair them. This car is restorable, and as far as parts car, for what car? 99% of these Cougars are gone! Every car that has good sheet metal is worth the time to fix it. If you are going to pay someone to do the work then just stay in your Lazyboy and watch that auction show and let Men do the needful.